Tom Bradshaw welcomed the opportunity to discuss the Farming and Food Partnership Board with Dame Angela, explaining that the Board remains committed to making the Partnership work, but there are growing frustrations, particularly from horticulture and poultry, as well as among Board members more broadly.
Tom said there is a collective desire to deliver tangible outcomes, but that progress is not happening at the pace required. Dame Angela responded that she, too, is “impatient for change”.
During the conversation, Tom also highlighted planning as a continuing barrier to investment and growth.
Water management
He also raised the very dry weather and wider concerns around water abstraction and water availability.
The NFU President explained that while the lack of reservoir capacity is partly a planning issue, abstraction policy is also becoming a significant constraint. He reiterated that we can't be using an abstraction policy designed in the 1970s in 2027.
Dame Angela acknowledged the point and agreed that policy needs to reflect today’s climate challenges.
Constructive and straight-talking
The NFU has worked closely with Dame Angela Eagle MP during her time as Food Security Minister, engaging regularly on a range of critical issues affecting British agriculture, including the SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive), the impact of the Middle East conflict on production costs and planning reform.
As part of this work, Dame Angela Eagle MP joined the NFU on visits to a soft fruit farm in Kent to discuss planning and business growth and a dairy farm in Derbyshire to explore milk production, supply chain fairness and the role of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “I’d like to thank the Defra Secretary of State for taking the time to speak with the NFU on her first day in office about the key issues facing food and farming.
“We built a good, constructive and straight-talking relationship during her time as Food Security Minister and I look forward to continuing that as she takes on the Defra Secretary of State brief.
“Farmers and growers are facing significant challenges, from prolonged dry weather and high production costs to uncertainty around agri-environment schemes and wider barriers to growth, including planning. Addressing these issues will be vital if we are to build a resilient and profitable farming sector that can continue producing food for the nation’s 70 million consumers.
Farming at the heart of long-term growth agenda
“I look forward to working closely with the Secretary of State in the months ahead as we build on the government’s manifesto commitment that ‘food security is national security’ and ensure farming is at the heart of the long-term growth agenda.
“As the new Prime Minister develops his 10-year plan, I hope we can work together to ensure British agriculture is recognised as a key partner in delivering economic growth across the nation and vital to strengthening the food sector’s resilience for years to come.”
The NFU will continue to work hard to highlight the issues facing farmers and growers with the Defra and work constructively to strengthen the sector's resilience.
“I look forward to working closely with the Secretary of State in the months ahead as we build on the government's manifesto commitment that ‘food security is national security’ and ensure farming is at the heart of the long-term growth agenda.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
